Tuesday, December 28, 2010

The Padres 1B Solution: Ruscus Thanyan

Replacing an impact player like Adrian Gonzalez while maintaining a sub-$45mm payroll is just one of the many challenges ahead for San Diego GM Jed Hoyer.

Gonzalez offered plus-defense while putting up monster offensive numbers in a home park known for suppressing output. The Padres decided to deal AGonz and his $6.3mm contract to the Red Sox for four prospects. This deal makes sense financially in 2011 (and might make sense on the field in 2013 and beyond) but strips this year's team of any reliable power source.

I think it would make sense for the Padres to sign both Russell Branyan and Marcus Thames (or Ruscus Thanyan, jointly) in an effort to replace some of the lost pop and fill the cavernous hole AGonz left behind at first base.

This duo rakes against right-handed and left-handed pitching, respectively. Check out these strikingly similar career numbers:

Combined, the two made $2.4mm last season or exactly half of what the team paid AGonz. Clearly there are many factors (park, leagues, etc) in play, but for fun, let's see how Thanyan (Branyan vs right-handers and Thames vs left-handers) stacked up against AGonz: